Page 11 of Curve Ball (The San Jose Coyotes #2)

ADRIANA

T he sun is barely up, and I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to make sense of the mess I’ve made of my life. Gael still wanted me, and I pushed him away again. I didn’t give him my number, and now, knowing that he’s friends with Kai, I have to make a decision.

Do I push every negative feeling aside and try to make it work with him, or do I leave and never look back?

I know I can’t keep running from this, can’t keep avoiding the inevitable. I’m pregnant, and Gael deserves to know, deserves the chance to be a part of his child’s life. But I’m scared.

Scared of his reaction, because most men our age aren’t looking for hookups to turn into an eighteen-year-long commitment.

Terrified that he will turn into Marco if I were to even attempt some kind of romantic relationship with him.

Just scared.

I own up to my poor decision, not that I will ever look at our child with anything but love because I chose to have them.

But man, I could slap myself for being so stupid that night.

I pull the covers off and swing my legs over the side of the bed, taking a deep breath as I stand up.

I need to talk to someone, need to get advice from someone who knows me, who loves me unconditionally.

I need to talk to my mom.

There is a little hesitation, but I know there is no one else in this world that would understand more than her. So I hit the call button, putting the phone to my ear as it rings.

“ Hola, mija, ” my mom answers, her voice warm and comforting. Immediately I want to start crying. “You’re up early.”

I take a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady. “Hi, Mom. I’m... I’m okay. I needed to talk to you about something.”

There’s a pause on the other end of the line, and I can almost see her raising an eyebrow, concerned. “Of course, mija . What’s wrong? You know you can tell me anything.”

You can do this. I take a deep breath and spill the beans. “I’m pregnant, Mom. About fifteen weeks along now.”

There’s a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line, and then silence. I wait, my heart pounding in my chest, as she processes the news.

“Adriana,” she says finally, her voice soft. “How do you feel about it?”

I let out a shaky laugh. “Honestly? I’m terrified. I didn’t plan this, and now I don’t know what to do. The father... it’s complicated.”

“Who is he, mija ?”

I hesitate, then decide to come clean. “It’s Gael, Mom. Gael Mendoza. He plays for the Coyotes with Isla’s husband. But to be fair, I didn’t know that he was friends with Kai or that he played baseball at all. ”

She’s silent for a moment, and I can hear her taking deep breaths, processing everything I’ve told her. “Adriana, does he know?”

“No, I’ve been too scared to tell him. I—I don’t want him to feel pressured.” I bite my lip and omit the part about me being afraid that he would turn into my ex and then leave me a broken mess.

“He deserves to know that he’s going to be a father. You can’t keep this from him.”

I nod, even though she can’t see me. “I know, Mom. But I’m scared. I’m scared of his reaction.”

“ Mija , I understand your fears,” she says, her voice gentle. “But you can’t take away the chance for him to be a father to his child. You have to tell him, and you have to give him the opportunity to be a part of his child’s life.”

I take a deep breath, letting her words sink in. She’s right, I know she is. I can’t keep this from Gael; I can’t take away his chance to be a father. But it doesn’t make it any easier and doesn’t take away the fear and uncertainty.

“I’ll talk to him, Mom,” I say, my voice barely a whisper. “I’ll give him the chance to be a part of our lives.”

“ Esa es mi nina ,” she says, her voice filled with pride and love. “And remember, mija , whatever happens, I’m here for you. I love you, and I’ll support you no matter what. If you need to move down here and we raise the baby together, you know I always have space for you.”

Tears well up in my eyes, and I blink them back, trying to keep my composure. “I love you too, Mom. Thank you.” We say our goodbyes, and I hang up the phone, taking a deep breath as I lean against the counter. I feel a sense of resolve and know what I have to do.

I check my phone calendar and the next prenatal appointment I have is the anatomy scan, and I wonder to myself if he would want to go with me to it. He would get to see his child for the very first time.

Okay, Adri. It’s time to put on our big girl panties and do this.